- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- The Mediterranean region
- Traditions
- Greco-Roman medicine, Folk magic and herbal magic
Europe · Herb · № 835
Mandragora officinarum
Herb · Europe
Mandrake
Mandragora officinarum
A highly poisonous plant containing tropane alkaloids, used in antiquity as a painkiller and sleeping draught.
Safety notes
Deadly poisonous. Causes hallucinations, heart rhythm disorders and breathing problems. Do not use.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Western herbalism: Highly poisonous because of tropane alkaloids.
Preparation
Do not prepare or use it yourself.
Use in traditions
Already described by Dioscorides as an anaesthetic. Many legends surrounded the human-like root: it was said to scream when pulled from the ground.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
In antiquity and the Middle Ages a painkiller and sleeping agent for operations, often in soporific sponges; many legends grew up around the human-shaped root.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare or use it yourself.
Caution: Highly poisonous because of tropane alkaloids.